Electrically driven timing device



Nov. 2, 1965 w. E. BUCK 3,215,917

ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN TIMING DEVICE Filed June 2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 zz j IN V EN TOR.

Nov. 2,1965 I w. E. BUCK 15 7.

, 1 ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN TIMING DEVICE Filed June 2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

A 7' TOR/V575.

United States Patent 3,215,917 ELECTRICAILLY DRIVEN TIMING DEVIQE Willard E. Buck, Boulder, Colo., assignor to Buck Instrument Co., Boulder, Colo, a corporation of Colorado Filed June 2, 1955, Ser. No. 512,696 16 Claims. (Cl. 318-129) The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of time-keeping or timing, and relates more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of electrically driven timing devices.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrically driven clock or time-keeping device which is extremely simple, durable and compact in construction, and which is moreover exceedingly accurate and highly eflicient in operation.

It is a more specific object of my invention to provide an improved timing device wherein the usual mechanical actuating means for the oscillator and timekeeper is eliminated and is replaced by an amplifying system serving as the power source.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide an improved electrically driven time-keeping device wherein the timekeeper is driven by an amplifier to thereby eliminate the need for contacts and moving parts in the driving system and enabling the use of low voltage dry cell batteries for operation of the device.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved timekeeper comprised of a minimum number of parts adapted to be confined in a sealed package or housing and capable of exceptionally long life with a minimum of care and no need for periodic lubrication of the driving system.

Still another specific object of my present invention is to provide an improved noval and simplified timing device adapted for low voltage battery operation and wherein the power pulse for driving the oscillator or timekeeper is so independent of battery voltage that a minimum voltage is necessary for satisfactory operation and the current consumption is exceedingly low.

An additional specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrically actuated timing device in which an amplifier such as a transistor or vacuum tube serves to drive the timekeeper thereby eliminating the need for a motor and resulting in a device wherein the drive is constant because the power pulse depends almost.

entirely on input pulse with the input and output impedances thus being matched.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved timing device comprising, oscillatable timing means, a source of electrical energy, and means interposed between the timing means and the electrical source for receiving and amplifying signals conveyed thereto from the timing means and for transmitting the amplified signal in the form of an electro-magnetic pulse back to the timing means to provide the oscillatory driving power therefor.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

- A clear conception of the several features constituting the present improvement and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing electrically driven timing devices embodying the features of the invention may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram in elevation illustrating a typical embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and looking down at the balance wheel;

3,215,917 Patented Nov. 2, 1965- "ice FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram in elevation illustrating a somewhat modified form of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram of still another modified form of the invention wherein both magnetic coils are wound on a common pole piece.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described herein as being especially adapted for and embodied in timekeeping devices such as clocks having the usual balance wheel providing the oscillatable timing means, and in which a transistor is used for amplifying the signals, it is not desired or intended to unnecessarily limit or restrict the invention to such specific embodiments since it could be utilized to advantage in any timing device provided with a suitable oscillatable timing element with a vacuum tube or the like being used as the amplifier. It is furthermore contemplated that certain specific descriptive terms used herein shall be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the disclosure; and with specific reference to the use of the term electrical pulse, it should be understood that the signals in the present instance are, in fact, in the form of electro-magnetic pulses.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the timekeeping device shown therein as embodying the improvements comprises, in general, an oscillatable timing element shown herein as a balance wheel 10 carried by a staff 11 supported at the ends in suitable bearings 12, 13 and provided with the usual adjustable hairspring 14 and disc 15 carrying a roller pin 15 cooperable with a suitable lever 16 to provide the escapement device for actuating the time recording member, not shown; a local magentic element 17 mounted on and carried by a peripheral portion of the balance wheel 10 for oscillation therewith; a suitable source of electrical energy 18 which may consist of one or more ordinary dry cell batteries furnishing from 3 to 18 volts; means such as an electro-magnet 19 interposed between the timing means 10 and the source of electrical energy 18 and having its poles disposed in proximity to the path of the magnetic element 17 for receiving regular periodic signals therefrom as the element 17 oscillates; means such as a transistor 20 coupled by an electrical circuit 21 to the electro-magnet 19 for amplifying the signals received thereby in the form of electric pulses; and means such as an electro-magnet 22 electrically coupled by a circuit 23 to the transistor or other suitable amplifier 20 for transmitting or feeding the amplified signals in the form of periodic amplified electrical pulses through a magnetic element 24 back to the oscillatable timing means 10 to provide the oscillatory driving power therefor, the local magnetic element 24 in this instance being disposed on a peripheral portion of the balance wheel 10 diametrically opposite to the element 17 and on the opposite face of the wheel and the coils of the magnets 19, 24 being coupled as at 25 to provide for a power pulse in two directions.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, a similar but somewhat modified system is disclosed which comprises, in general, a balance wheel or timing element 30 carried by a staff 31 supported at opposite ends in bearings 32, 33 and provided with a spring 34 and suitable escapement device which, in this case, is shown as ratchet wheel 35 and lever 36 for actuating the time recorder; a local magnetic element in the form of an iron rivet 37 carried by a peripheral portion of the balance wheel; a suitable source of electrical energy 38 such as one or more dry cell batteries; an electro-magnet 39 interposed between the element 30 and the electrical source 38 with the poles thereof in proximity to the path of the rivet 37 for receiving signals therefrom; a transistor or vacuum tube 40 electrically coupled as by the circuit 41 to the magnet 39 for amplifying the signals received through the magnet; and an electro-magnet 42 coupled by the circuit 43 to the amplifier 40 for transmitting the periodic amplified signals back to the element 30 through an iron rivet 44 secured to a peripheral portion of the wheel 30 diametrically across from the rivet 37 and oscillatable between the poles of the magnet 42.

If desired, both the pick-up and the drive coil may be incorporated in a single magnetic structure as illustrated in the wiring diagram of FIG. 6 wherein the reference numeral 58 designates the electrical source; the reference numeral 59 designates the signal receiving or pick-up coil; the reference numeral 60 designates the transistor or other amplifier coupled to the coil 59 by the circuit 61; the reference numeral 62 designates the signal transmitting or drive coil coupled to the amplifier 60 by the circuit 63; and the reference numeral 65 designates a mutual inductance coupling between the input and output coils 59, 62 respectively. In principle, the system shown in FIG. 6 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that it provides a power pulse in two directions, the mutual inductance coupling 65 between the input and output coils being arranged to have positive feedback in the drive circuit thereby requiring minimum input coupling since the amplifier has a higher effective gain. However, while the magnetic structure shown in FIG. 6 is extremely simple with both coils being wound on the same pole pieces, the system is somewhat less stable than the others shown herein and is more critical to changes in circuit components due to temperature, humidity or the like.

From the foregoing detailed description, it is apparent that the present invention contemplates provision of an improved electrically driven clock which is of exceedingly simple construction requiring no motor or the like for its operation and which is moreover exceedingly accurate and adapted to be effectively driven on low voltage with minimum variations in timekeeping qualities. In each of the embodiments shown herein, a signal is picked up in the pick-up coil 19, 39 or 59 as the magnetized rivet or other element 17 or 37 oscillates and passes between the pole pieces. The signal thus picked up is fed from the matched coil into the input of the transistor, vacuum tube or other amplifying device 20, 40 or 60 wherein the power is amplified. The transistor energizes the matched drive coil 22, 42 or 62 which feeds the amplified electromagnetic pulses back to the oscillatable timing element or 30 through the magnetic rivet or other element 24 or 44 as the case may be to provide the oscillatory driving power for the timing element. The improved device minimizes the number of necessary moving parts and enables the use of low voltage dry cell batteries for eifective operation, and timekeepers constructed in accordance with the invention may be enclosed and merchandised in sealed packages with means being provided for replacing batteries. An actual device constructed in accordance with the invention has been built and operated continuously for an exceptionally long period of time and has proven itself accurate and reliable.

It should, of course, be understood that it is not desired or intended to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or precise mode of operation shown and described herein since various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In a timing device, a rotary oscillatable timing means, and generator means electromechanically coupled to said timing means for receiving electrical signals conveyed thereto from said timing means and means connected to said generator means for amplifying and transmitting the amplified signal in the form of an electromagnetic pulse back to said timing means to provide the oscillatory driving power therefor, said device including only non-permanent magnetic elements and being devoid of a permanent magnet.

2. In a timing device, a rotary oscillatable timing means, and generator means including an electromagnet electromagnetically coupled to said timing means for receiving electrical signals conveyed thereto from said timing means and means connected to said generator means for amplifying and transmitting the amplified signal in the form of an electro-magnetic pulse back to said timing means to provide the oscillatory driving power therefor, said device including only non-permanent magnetic elements and being devoid of a permanent magnet.

3. In a timing device, a rotary oscillatable timing means, generator means including an electro-magnet electromagnetically coupled to said timing means for receiving signals from said timing means, and means coupled with said electro-magnet for amplifying said signals and for transmitting same back to said timing means in the form of electro-magnetic pulses to provide the oscillatory driving power therefor, said device including only non-perma nent magnetic elements and being devoid of a permanent magnet.

4. In a timing device, a rotary oscillatable timing means, generator means including an electro-magnet electromechanically coupled to said timing means for receiving periodic signals at regular intervals from said timing means, and means coupled with said magnet for amplifying said signals and transmitting same back to said timing means in the form of regular periodic electro-magnetic pulses to provide the oscillatory driving power therefor, said device including only non-permanent magnetic elements and being devoid of a permanent magnet.

5. In a timing device, a rotary oscillatable timing means, generator means including an electro-magnet electromagnetically coupled to said timing means for receiving signals from said timing means, means coupled with said magnet for amplifying said signals and a second electromagnet providing electro-magnetic coupling between said amplifying means and said timing means for transmitting the amplified signals back to said timing means in the form of electromagnetic pulses to provide the oscillatory driving power therefor, said device including only nonpermanent magnetic elements and being devoid of a permanent magnet.

6. In a timing device, a rotary oscillatable timing means, generator means for developing periodic signals in response to the movement of said timing means, and means for amplifying and transmitting the signals in the form of amplifier electro-magnetic pulses back to said timing means to provide the oscillatory driving power therefor,.

said device including only non-permanent magnetic elements and being devoid of a permanent magnet.

7. In a timing device, a rotary oscillatable timing means, generator means including an electro-magnetic means for receiving periodic signals from said timing means, means for amplifying said signals, and means for transmitting said signals back to said timing means in the form of electro-magnetic pulses to provide the oscillatory driving power therefor, said device including only nonpermanent magnetic elements and being devoid of a permanent magnet.

8. In a timing device, a rotary oscillatable timing means carrying at least one magnetic element, electro-magnetic means for receiving periodic signals from said magnetic element, means for amplifying said signals, and electromagnetic means for transmitting said signals back to a magnetic element of said timing means in the form of amplified electro-magnetic pulses to provide the oscillatory driving power for said timing means, said device including only non-permanent magnetic elements and being electro-magnetically coupled to said timing means for receiving signals from a magnetic element, means coupled with said electro-magnet for amplifying said signals, and a second electro-magnet electromagnetically coupling said amplifying means and said timing means for transmitting the signals back to a magnetic element in the form of amplified electro-magnetic pulses to provide the oscillatory driving power therefor, said device including only non-permanent magnetic elements and being deviod of a permanent magnet.

10. In a timing device, a rotary oscillatable timing means carrying at least one magnetic element, means for adjusting the period of oscillation of said timing means, an electro-magnet electro-magnetically coupled to said timing means for receiving periodic signals from a magnetic element as said timing means is oscillated, means coupled with said electro-magnet for amplifying said signals, and a second electro-magnet providing electro-magnetic coupling between said amplifying means and said timing means for transmitting the signals b-ack to a magnetic element in the form of amplified periodic electromagnetic pulses to provide the oscillatory driving power therefor, said device including only non-permanent mag netic elements and being devoid of a permanent magnet.

11. In an electro-mechanical timing device, timing means mounted for a rotary oscillatory movement, generator means to include at least one magnetic member supported by said timing means and an electromagnet having pole pieces with a coil thereon mounted with respect to the timing means such that the magnetic member cuts the magnetic flux path between the pole'pieces on oscillation of the timing means, drive means actuated by the developed timing pulse to sustain oscillation of the timing means and means interposed between the generator means and the drive means for amplifying and directly applying said timing pulse to said drive means, said device including only non-permanent magnetic members and being devoid of a permanent magnet.

12. A device as set forth in claim 11 wherein the drive means includes an electromagnet having pole pieces with a coil thereon mounted with respect to the timing means such that a magnetic member cuts the magnetic flux path between the pole pieces thereof as the timing means oscillates.

13. A device as set forth in claim 11 wherein the timing means is provided with a pair of magnetic members mounted in diametrically opposed relation thereon and wherein the generator and drive means each comprises an electromagnet withpole pieces having a coil thereon, mounted with respect to the timing means such that a magnetic member cuts the magnetic flux path between the pole pieces thereof as the timing means oscillates generating a timing pulse.

14. A device as set forth in claim 13 wherein the means for applying a timing pulse to the driving coil includes amplifier means having the generator coil coupled to the input thereof and having the output thereof coupled to the driving coil.

15. In an electro-mechanical timing device adapted to sustain oscillations of a predetermined frequency, timing means which comprises a balance wheel mounted for a rotary oscillation having at least one magnetic member supported thereon, generator means including electromagnetic means operatively coupled to said timing means adapted to generate a timing pulse on oscillation of said timing means, drive means actuated by said timing pulse to sustain the oscillations of said timing means, means for applying said timing pulse to said drive means, wherein said generator and said drive means comprise an electromagnet having pole pieces mounted with respect to the timing means such that a magnetic member cuts the mag netic flux path between the pole pieces as the timing means oscillates, said magnet having mounted thereon a generator coil and a driving coil, and means for electrically coupling said generator coil to said driving coil, said device including only non-permanent magnetic members and being devoid of a permanent magnet.

16. A device as set forth in claim 15 wherein the means for electrically coupling the generator coil to the driving coil includes an amplifier means having the generator coil coupled to the input thereof and having the output thereof coupled to the driving coil.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,560,056 11/25 Horton 331-156 1,906,985 5/33 Morrison 331-156 1,971,086 8/34 Trouant 58-29 1,995,624 3/35 Scheppmann 331-156 2,015,410 9/35 Prescott 58-23 2,174,296 9/39 Wallace 331-154 2,254,476 9/41 Eshbaugh et al. 318-132 2,472,249 6/49- De Giers et al. 2,564,636 8/51 Bennett et al 58-28 2,652,460 9/53 Wallace. 2,769,946 11/56 Brailsford 318-128 2,843,742 7/58 Cluwen 250-36 2,895,095 7/59 Guyton 310-36 2,961,587 11/60 Aeschmann 318-132 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,090,564 10/54 France.

701,640 1/41 Germany.

ORIS L. RADER, Primary Examiner.

MILTON O. HIRSHFIELD, JOSEPH A. STRIZAK,

Examiners. 

1. IN A TIMING DEVICE, A ROTARY OSCILLATABLE TIMING MEANS, AND GENERATORS MEANS ELECTROMECHANICALLY COUPLED VEYED THERETO FROM SAID TIMING MEANS AND MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID GENERATOR MEANS FOR AMPLIFYING AND TRANSMITTING THE AMPLIFIED SIGNAL IN THE FORM OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE BACK TO SAID TIMING MEANS TO PROVIDE THE OSCILLATORY DRIVING POWER THEREFORM, SAID DEVICE INCLUDING ONLY NON-PERMANENT MAGNETIC ELEMENTS AND BEING DEVOID OF A PERMANENT MAGNET. 